Reader Question: Can I Disinfect My Makeup Products?

So, there are a few guidelines about how long you should keep makeup before it starts getting funky (a good rule: 3 months for eyeliners and mascara, a year for foundation and concealer, and two years for powders, lipsticks, lipgloss and lotions). If you hit those dates, you should probably toss them. But sometimes, you just get the urge to give your products a good wipe down.

So, when SELF's Web Managing Editor, JD, asked me if she could disinfect her products, my answer was: "Totally! It just depends what you are trying to disinfect." Here, a crib sheet.

Lipstick: Dip your tube into alcohol (of the rubbing variety, though, who knows, tequila may work -- but don't take my word for it) for 30 seconds, then wipe away the top layer with a tissue. Powders: You won't believe how easy this is. Ready? Scrape off the top layer. Really, that's it. I've used a fresh-from-the-dishwasher, flat-topped cheese knife, but anything that's super clean and scrape-y will work on powder compacts. A word to the wise: Be gentle so the powder doesn't crumble. The same goes for cream, BTW, except instead of scraping, you scoop with a spoon. So easy, right?
Pencils: Dull the pencil down to a nub, then grab a sharpener, and sharpen until you have a fresh point. I like to do this twice, just to be sure, but I'm a little nuts -- and def a little germaphobic, too, but hey -- can you ever really be too clean? Mascara: There's this trend in Japan where dudes put their jeans in the freezer to "wash" them so they don't get misshapen in the laundry. Welp, you can do the same with your mascara. Close the tube, leave it in the freezer overnight, and viola! Apparently, the sub zero temps kill germs.

There ya go, JD! Thanks for the question!

Do you have questions? Ask us your #BeautyQ on Twitter @AESam and @SELFMagazine!

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